Maplewood Man Killed After Struck by Stolen West Orange DPW Truck

A Maplewood man was struck and killed in East Orange Friday morning by a man who allegedly stole a West Orange Public Works truck then sped through three towns while trying to elude police.

James Callaway, 63, of Maplewood, was leaving St. Mark AME Church in East Orange when he was hit by the stolen truck, according to authorities and a church member.

West Orange police said the incident started on Lakeside Avenue in West Orange shortly before 10 a.m. The alleged carjacker, police said, was identified as Jamal Abdul Silvera, 21, of East Orange. He faces felony murder charges, according to the Essex County Prosecutor's Office.

Silvera approached an unmarked black township public works truck around 9:50 a.m. and forced the driver from the vehicle. He then assaulted the driver, according to Jessica Glicker, public information officer for West Orange. The DPW driver, who is an electrical inspector for West Orange, did not sustain serious injuries.

Silvera then drove the stolen truck into Orange and East Orange, where he continued to elude police. While speeding through East Orange, Silvera allegedly struck and killed Callaway.

After he was struck, Callaway was rushed to East Orange General Hospital with grave injuries. He died at the hospital at 11:13 a.m.

Norman Baker, a church member, said Callaway was a 20-year member of the church and a trustee. Callaway's family said he was a "caring man" dedicated to his community. "This is a very difficult time for us all. James was a very loving and caring man who could not do enough for his family, church and community," Callaway's family said in a statement to media. "At this time, we pray that we'll understand why this happened and we pray for Mr. Silvera's family as well. We ask everyone to please understand our desire to mourn privately."

Police said after striking Callaway, Silvera then drove west in the eastbound lane of Freeway Drive toward Evergreen Place where he caused a multi-vehicle accident. No injuries were reported in that incident, though it is not known how many cars and drivers were involved.

At Evergreen Place, Silvera also allegedly struck an Essex County Parks vehicle head-on, according to Kevin Lynch, spokesman for the Essex County Sheriff's Office. The unidentified parks department employee was uninjured, Lynch said. Police would not release his name.

Silvera then jumped out of the DPW truck and ran from police. He jumped a nearby fence, but was surrounded by police from East Orange, Orange, West Orange and Essex County, who placed him under arrest.

Darren Bennett, who lives two blocks from where the 63-year-old man was killed, said he witnessed the chase. "They were hauling ... cops were everywhere," he said. "I just saw the police driving around in circles."

In addition to felony murder, Silvera faces a multitude of charges from involved towns. The case has been turned over to the Essex County Prosecutor's Office because of the death.

West Orange police said they will charge Silvera only with the carjacking, while East Orange police will file the majority of the charges, according to the Essex County Prosecutor's Office.

Silvera is in Essex County jail in lieu of $1 million bail set by New Jersey Superior Court Judge Peter Vazquez.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.

[Editor's note: This story was updated Dec. 18 at 2:15 p.m.]